[center][b][color=red][sup][h1]A R S E N A L[/h1][/sup][/color][/b][/center]
[COLOR=red][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]The Watchtower[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]January 7[sup]th[/sup], 2052  |  1:39pm |  Training Facility[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

The tension released, and a single arrow zipped through the air and impacted against the armor of a Peacekeeper. The bullets themselves impacted against the thin shield of energy protruding from Arsenal's cybernetic arm. As the Peacekeeper fell to the ground, a loud bell signaled. The ruined landscape of Star City (personally chosen by the archer himself) gave way to a starkly white room. Roy wiped the sweat from his brow, making his way idly out of the training room. The Peacekeepers were in a chipper mood, which was surprising given not a single one managed to even get a scratch on their trainer.

As he began to remove his kevlar vest, Roy heard the distinct ring of his commlink. As he checked it, the message confirmed his suspicions: the little Luthor wanted to talk. Roy quickly stripped down and hit the showers before getting back to his locker and changing into a red tracksuit. Roy kept the cybernetic arm on: he hadn't worn it in 4 months and needed to get used to the sensation of having two arms again.

It took a bit of time to get anywhere in the Watchtower. The streamlined design made traversal relatively easy, but this was a rather large establishment orbiting the Earth. The entire Justice League operated out of this facility in the end. Roy never believed Oliver's stories early on as his sidekick about the Justice League's base of operations. It was only after a brief visit while under the name "Speedy" that Roy got to see the glory that was the early Watchtower. [i]It's only gotten more marvelous over time[/i], Roy thought as he approached the office of Albert Luthor. He knocked on the door with his left hand, calling out, [color=ed1c24]"Alright Luthor, I'm here for our little Fireside chat."[/color]

[hr]

The intercom above Luthor's office door chimed, [color=darkviolet]"I'll be with you in a moment Harper."[/color] A few seconds later, the door opened and out came a giant of a man. He was well over seven feet tall, with a broad muscled frame that strained the fabric of his JLU athletic shirt. Scars could be seen running across his arms, the veins in his right arm seeming to pulse with some kind of otherworldly energy. The League had inhumanly blue eyes that seemed to flicker and spark, and his hair was white as snow. He could be none other than Magog, one of the most infamous heroes of the younger generation. He smiled at Roy, reaching forward with his massive hand to grip Roy's cybernetic one, [color=gray]"Arsenal. Haven't seen you in a while. What brings you up here? I thought you liked it down on the ground. Came to spar?"[/color]

The younger Leaguer was known for his unorthodox, and sometimes brutal, tactics but he was quickly gaining prominence as one of the most visible of the so-called "New Breed" of heroes. He was also a known advocate for open war against both the Legion of Doom and the Shiruta Pact. As well as many other corrupt regimes and criminal syndicates. Despite his harsh methodology, he was effective and had quickly risen to a team leader. 

Albert was standing in front of his desk in his office where a large bookshelf, a marble bust of Caesar, and a painting of Alexander the Great were prominently featured. Albert nodded at Roy, [color=darkviolet]"May I offer you something to drink Roy?"[/color] Alfred was known for being consummately professional and nearly always having an immaculate appearance. And by no means did he appear improper. But those who knew him could see that he was more disheveled and tired than normal. It was clear he hadn't had much sleep.

Roy gave a brief nod to Albert. He knew him well enough to tell the younger member of the League was off, and given Roy's own experience with similar missions, felt he had a good idea as to why. "[color=ed1c24]I may be older, but I could still kick your ass if we went all out, nerd."[/color] The usual playfulness Roy met most situations with was, of course, present in full force. But his face hardened slightly as his words began turning sour.  [color=ed1c24]"As for why I'm here, It's customary to visit the Watchtower from time to time as a member of the League. Especially when you're getting called back into active duty."[/color] The words oozed with bitterness... or perhaps, more accurately, pain. Roy gave a faint smile as he entered the office, closing the door behind him and striding straight towards the team leader. [color=ed1c24]"You should know me well enough that you don't have to ask me for a drink, Albert. The usual: Whiskey, neat."[/color]

Magog laughed, a mischievous glint in his eye  as he looked back at Arsenal, not saying anything as the door closed. Albert shook his head, [color=darkviolet]"This kind of alpha male posturing is lost on me. Isn't fatherhood supposed to make you more humble?"[/color] Albert smirked as he prepared the drinks, [color=darkviolet]"Especially with that one. He's strong. And doesn't have much restraint to go with it. I'd tread carefully around him. He'll want to take you up on that."[/color]

Albert finished with the drinks, getting the same as Roy, and holding the glass up, [color=darkviolet]"To absent friends."[/color] He clinked the glass off of Roy's and sipped at the glass before putting it back down. Albert gestured to a nearby seat and sat on his desk, crossing his arms, [color=darkviolet]"I actually wanted to talk to you about being activated. Robert and I agreed we could use you in the field. And the higher-ups signed off on it. They're forming a kind of task force. The Legion is getting bold, and it's time we started being more proactive. You're exactly the kind of Leaguer we need. After what happened in Mexico, it's clear we can't handle them with kid gloves anymore." Albert looked at Roy, "What do you say? I figured you'd like missions better than being on patrol duty."[/color]

Roy gave a slight nod as he clinked glasses with Albert. He listened intently, and once Al was finished with his speech, Roy took another sip of his whiskey. [color=ed1c24]"Not all of those working for the Legion are the super villains I fought back when you were flashing your dad's money in elementary school. Some are just normal people. Those rebels in Thailand? I'm sure many wanted to make a difference for their country. So if we mobilized, we would have been killing innocents."[/color]

Roy took another sip, before looking Al directly in the eyes. [color=ed1c24]"War isn't the moving of chess pieces. You are placing friends... fathers... in danger. You're playing with lives. You played with lives in Mexico. You went into an obvious trap, defied protocol, and now you've seen the consequences. If you want me on your team, you need to start thinking with your heart and your mind, not just that Luthor brain of yours."[/color]

Albert frowned, [color=darkviolet]"Innocents is a stretch, Roy. But I can understand your reservations. We're not going to be dealing with revolutionaries and rebels, we'll leave that to the military-industrial complex. Our focus will be on countering the Legion's efforts to undermine the free world. And if possible, dismantle their organization and take them down before World War 3 breaks out."[/color]

Albert looked Roy back in his eyes, [color=darkviolet]"I'm aware of the shortcomings of the mission. But we had to act. There was nothing else to do but go in. And if we had delayed, who knows how many more people would have died in their labs? But regardless I'm not... unaware of the toll it took. We lost good men down there."[/color] Albert drained his glass and stood, looking out the window at Earth, [color=darkviolet]"Believe me when I know war is no game. You and I both saw friends and comrades fall during E-Day. The piles of dead in the streets. The children left orphaned. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. All gone. Believe me, I know."[/color] He looked back at Roy, [color=darkviolet]"I'm willing to do what it takes to keep that from happening again, stopping the slaughter before it even starts. But it's going to be dangerous. To our lives and who we are. That's why I need you. Not only for your experience, I need a level-headed perspective. We need strength and compassion both. Or else we'll lose our way. Too many of us, like Magog, already think more like soldiers than peacekeepers."[/color] 

[color=darkviolet]"Help me end this war. Or everything we know could come to an end."[/color]

Roy watched Albert carefully, and then downed his whiskey. [color=ed1c24]"Alright, Albert. I'm in. A special strike team sounds interesting. Send me the files of the others... and if any need training, I can provide assistance. I'll be spending most of my waking hours here anyways... my daughter is a little upset about me getting involved in the war again."[/color]

Albert nodded back, [color=darkviolet]"I will. A lot of old hands will be in here. Some of them you already know. Jason Todd. Donna Troy. Raven. But we have a lot of fresher faces too."[/color] Albert started tapping at his terminal, collating the personnel files to forward to Roy, [color=darkviolet]"Lian has a lot of potential. There's murmurs among the Academy faculty that she should be moved to a top class. They'll finish their education here on Astrapolis, but they can start patrol duty and other apprenticeships with full members. We have a lot of bright kids moving into this class. Impulse, Starboy, Aquagirl, and so on.  Your niece Arrowette. I think she'd be a good addition to the dynamic. But only with your consent of course. If you're ok with it, I could bring it to Jefferson Pierce and he'll fast track her into the program."[/color]

Roy sighed. He knew this day would come. [color=ed1c24]"It'll be Lian's choice. She will most certainly say yes. When off-duty, I would like to be recommended as an instructor for the fast-tracked students. My resume and students speak for themselves... but quite frankly, I know you and the others will do what's best for my daughter."[/color]

He gave a small smile, however, in regards to the possibility of working with some old friends. [color=ed1c24]"Donna, Jason, and Raven? You're just trying to get my old band back together, aren't you Albert? We always were the best generation of heroes."[/color]

Albert smiled reassuringly, [color=darkviolet]"I'm sure Pierce will ok it. He's done nothing but sing your praises as instructor at the Bay Area Academy. I'm sure she'll love being up here in Astrapolis too. But don't worry. It's going to be routine duty. Patrol duty, charity work, the kind of stuff we did when we were starting out. And they'll always be with an experienced Leaguer. She's going to excel. Make us all proud I'm sure."[/color] 

At that, Albert had to smirk, [color=darkviolet]"If by best you mean most dysfunctional then certainly. But you guys got stuff done, I'll have to admit. Even if you are all getting a bit on years."[/color] Albert smiled, [color=darkviolet]"It'll almost be like old times. When you guys were helping me and my generation through the Titans. Except now we'll show you how it's done."[/color]

Albert stood up and gave a slight nod, meeting Roy with a handshake. [color=darkviolet]"Welcome back Arsenal. Let's get to work."[/color]

[COLOR=red][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]The Watchtower[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]January 7[sup]th[/sup], 2052  |  2:35pm |  Training Facility[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

Roy maneuvered his way through the Watchtower, eventually reorienting himself as he meandered to the Equipment Lab. During his early days as a Leaguer, he practically had lived here. The technology had quite developed by this point, to the point where it was practically unrecognizable. But a familiar figure navigating the equipment was all Roy needed to see. He called out, rather louder than anticipated. [color=ed1c24]"Ahhh, Dr. Kord... it's been quite a while."[/color]

Dr. Samantha Kord, or Sam as her friends called her, turned around and smiled widely at Roy. Her brown hair was cut short, her green eyes lit with warmth as she came forward to embrace Roy in a tight hug. As Ted Kord's eldest child, she had been one of the first members in the Teen Titans. Though she had never mastered the Scarab, she was a technical genius and had helped provide the team with much of their equipment. Now she was one of the League's most prominent engineers. 

Sam squeezed Roy and laughed, [color=gray]"Roy! It's so good to see you! It's been way too long. You never come by you jerk. And it's Sam for you. I get enough of Dr. Kord from the assistants."[/color] Sam withdrew from Roy and seemed to appraise him for a moment, [color=gray]"You look good Roy. Looks like all that exercise has been paying off. So, what can I do for a friend that never visits?"[/color] She grinned at Roy, the atmosphere as relaxed and simple between the two friends as if it had been a day rather than more more than a year.

Roy gave a small smile. He forgot how much he missed the energy Sam always brought to the table, especially on the old team. The two spent a lot of time together crafting various gadgets and tools. And this expertise is what the Scarlet Archer was hoping to draw on. [color=ed1c24]"I'm going back into active duty, so I'm hoping to get outfitted in some more... updated equipment."[/color] He gave a flash of his bright white teeth, his signature move when he was a strapping young hero.

Sam smirked, [color=gray]"Ah that's it. You only like me for my gear huh? I'll let you get away with it since you're still cute somehow."[/color] Sam had been somewhat mousy when they were all teens and hadn't attracted much romantic notice from heartthrobs like Roy or Dick. But she had obviously been a late bloomer, and exuded more confidence. She gave Roy a once over, tapped her chin for a moment and said, [color=ed1c24]"I think I have just the thing. I was working on some prototypes for the other Arrows but I think I could fabricate you some new toys. Step into my office." [/color]

She lead Roy deeper into the tech lab, passing by numerous other engineers who were testing out state of the art equipment for the Justice League. The JLU was on the bleeding edge of tech development and it showed. Eventually they reached a fabricator and Sam tapped away on the panel. Moments later several pieces of equipment slid out onto an attached table. Sam picked up several armor pieces and said, [color=gray]"This is our new lightweight ceramic with form-fitting armor weave for those of you who like to move around. It'll give you greater mobility without sacrificing mobility. It'll stand up to small arms and blades just fine and it'll self-repair given the proper time, but don't get cocky. I'll make sure to have it painted red. Just one of many different armor permutations we can make for you."[/color]

Sam smiled as she picked up what looked to be a small metallic case, [color=gray]"This beauty is my own design. She has a mag-attachment that will grip right onto your armor, no strap needed.  But the real genius is how she works. You can store your arrows there, but this quiver can fabricate new arrows for you on the go. You can feed it raw materials in order to convert that into fab-gel, and as long as you have gel you can keep making trick arrows. It'll cut down on weight considerably while still giving you a combat edge. Though you'll need different kinds of material to make special arrows, and those schematics will be linked to your HUD. Regular old arrows can be made all day from anything though." [/color]

The engineer picked up a red visor, [color=gray]"Speaking of your HUD, this will help you keep track of your arrows and gel levels and also help you calculate all kinds of factors for marksmanship. Distance, wind speed, you name it. Several different vision modes as well. It'll help protect you from flashbangs or dazzler lights and you can access the JLU database and make video calls. Plus it's in your favorite color."[/color] She paused, looking Roy over briefly. [color=gray]"I've got more toys, but what are you thinking so far? Interested?"[/color]

Roy was absolutely beaming at the tech. More advanced than he usually worked with... granted, Roy was the kind of person who could make himself lethal to the common soldier with just a paperclip, a rubber band, and a couple pebbles. He looked Sam over with slight awe. [color=ed1c24]"I need to come visit more often. This is amazing. Mobility is obviously crucial to my fighting style, and these tools are just perfect. The Arrow Family should have just hired you full time to make our toys."[/color]

Sam smirked, [color=gray]"Flattery will get you everywhere Harper. But since I'm awesome, this is all paid for by the JLU, no need to hire me. Though you could take me out to dinner sometime."[/color] Sam laughed and said, [color=gray]"Since you like that, I'll show you the other stuff." Sam crossed over to a bench and picked up a high-tech collapsible crossbow, light enough to be held in one hand. 

"This can be your backup piece. It'll have a mag-holster, so you can strap it wherever you want and it comes with another fabricator quiver for bolts. You can definitely get good quickdraw shots with this. But you'll always have a few of these babies."[/color] Sam picked up a tech bolt and loaded it into the crossbow then she aimed it at a metal target and pulled the trigger. Instead of releasing the bolt, a laser beam fired out, hitting the steel, melting through within seconds and scything the sheet in half. The bolt snapped out with a hiss and Sam said, [color=gray]"Pop one of those in and you have a laser gun as long as you have charge."[/color]

She pointed out a bandoleer and said, [color=gray]"This I had in mind for you. It will include several grenades, mines, remote explosives and what not in case your arrows don't pack the punch. You can load them right into your arm's grenade launcher if you need further range too. It also includes a fabricator, but the smaller size means they won't resupply as quickly. You have all the standard utility and survival equipment too. And I included some knives, all mono-molecular, in case you wanted to show off."[/color]

[color=gray]"I can start designing some alternate suits for different mission types, but this is a good all-purpose suit for most missions."[/color] Sam crossed her arms with a grin, [color=gray]"Even better than when we were Titans huh?"[/color]

Roy looked over the equipment, weighing it in his hands and observing it all carefully. He was clearly invested in the equipment presented. He rarely turned his eyes towards Sam, instead focusing in on the intricacies. Very few things actually surprised or captured the attention of Arsenal, and yet somehow this tech managed to do just that. He even wore the bandoleer to get a feel for its weight, and fabricated a mono-molecular knife. He tossed it into the air and caught it, twirled it around his fingers and hand, before setting it down on the table. He was like a kid in a candy shop. So it took a moment for the older man to respond.

When Roy did respond, he looked Sam in the eyes and gave a genuine smile. His eyes lit up, and his smile turned into his typical smirk. [color=ed1c24]"I owe you a lot more than dinner for this, Sam. It's all absolutely... remarkable. It fits perfectly, and will make me a force to be reckoned with on assignment. New tech, older man."[/color] He gave a small chuckle before removing the bandoleer and setting it down. [color=ed1c24]"To talk business, I'm looking for a more subtle version of the suit. An infiltrator version, if you will. On the other hand... keep in mind designs for extreme environment versions."[/color] A small beeping came from Roy's watch. With a quick tap on the small interface, a notification flashed and the Scarlet Archer sighed. [color=ed1c24]"Shit, almost forgot about conferences..."[/color] Roy looked up at Sam and gave an apologetic smile. [color=ed1c24]"I'll message you ideas later, but we seriously need to catch up sometime."[/color] In a bold move, the once-suave archer gave Sam a quick hug followed by a quick, playful peck on the cheek. In an even bolder move, he immediately began dashing away with a quick wave of his cybernetic arm before Sam could even process what had just happened.

[COLOR=red][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]Star City, California[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]January 8[sup]th[/sup], 2052  |  5:15pm |  Roy's Study[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

Roy leaned back at his desk, rubbing his temples. He was finishing up a pile of work that had accumulated in the past week for his day job as a member of the Board for his father's company. It was work that bored the adventurous Arsenal, but Roy Harper needed to earn his keep at the Queen Mansion.  Oliver and the others were still out due to the funeral, and Oliver took Lian to visit some of his old friends and spend time in Metropolis for the night. Decades prior, it would have been dangerous to leave Speedy alone to his own devices in such a decadent mansion. Times had changed since then.

On his desk were files upon files of papers, Roy's attempt to get around digital eye strain by shifting to paper documents from time to time. The one in front of him at the moment, however, was a JLU file. A certain cybernetics genius who had recently been brought into the fold, and a candidate for Percy's secret task force. A curious candidate given the shotgun JLU status, but someone who could had great potential.

What was more interesting for Roy Harper, however, was the good doctor's former works. So Roy began to tap away on a tablet lying on his desk, preparing a message for Dr. Albrecht.


[hider=Message Recipient: Dr. Maybelline Anne Albrecht]
To: Dr. Albrecht
Subject: Schematics/Commission

Dr. Albrecht,

I am Roy Harper (Designation: Arsenal [B009]), and I must say I admire your work. Your work with cybernetic enhancements, especially entirely cybernetic limbs, is groundbreaking. I have a commission for you, with the schematics of my current model of arm listed below. My current problem is that the reaction time on the arm is slowed down. I need something more efficient and dexterous, but with the same functionalities of the former arm.

I read through the after-action reports of the incident in Mexico, and I have to commend your aid to our men and women out there. I look forward to seeing how your time with the JLU unfolds, and I'm always around if you are in need of anything.

Cheers,

Commander Roy Harper,
Special Combat Instructor

[/hider]

[Sub]Collab with [@MrDidact], Interaction with [@Freeshooter92][/sub]